Left Facing Carved Shell Cameo, Antique Cameo Pendant, Sterling Silver Necklace, Victorian Helmet Shell Cameo

This cameo is such a delight! Unusually round instead of oval, with more delicate background coloring than many, a left-facing female, and wonderfully carved with an almost windblown hairstyle! She also has one of the most mischievous looks I've seen on my shell ladies. I think this beauty could have gotten up to some shenanigans! 

Carved from helmet shell, the contrast between the shell colors is dramatic while the carving details are intimately personal. Framed by a classic rope border. 

Helmet shell is found worldwide, and its contrasting coloration makes it ideal for carving cameos. It's become the standard material in shell cameos because of its relative softness (and wide distribution) compared to stone. 

The pendant suspends from a handmade bail that will accommodate a variety of wearing options. 

Materials: sterling silver, shell. Hallmarks: Blue Piranha, .925

The pendant measures 1 and 1/2 inches or 3.8 cm, long (from top of bail to bottom of pendant), and just over 1 inch, or 2.5 cm, wide. Weight is 10.2 grams.

Each pendant is available without a chain, so you may use your own if you prefer. If you want to add a chain, I offer different lengths and styles. Every chain comes with a 2-inch extender, so you can vary the length. 

Please choose your chain from the options at checkout.

Your purchase will arrive gift boxed, presented in a soft pouch with a story card.

Questions? Please message me. I'm happy to help.

About cameos:

Cameos have been carved for thousands of years, falling in and out of fashion since ancient Greece, while the Victorian era gave them their biggest cultural high point.

Cameos are carved from shell but they can also be created from glass, hardstone (such as sardonyx), lava, vulcanite, and coral, as well as other materials. Hand-carving continues today, most famously in Italy, where the tradition is still very much alive. The cameos I work with came from an antique market, found loose and in varying condition. Some were chipped and some were quietly extraordinary. Those are the ones I kept.

Helmet shell is found worldwide, and its contrasting coloration makes it ideal for carving cameos. It's become the standard material in shell cameos because of its relative softness (and wide distribution) compared to stone.